The US has struck another vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Tuesday, killing six people, President Donald Trump has said.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the vessel belonged to narcoterrorists and was involved in trafficking narcotics. This incident marks the fifth strike of its kind by the Trump administration on boats accused of drug trafficking in international waters since September, accumulating a total of 27 reported fatalities. However, no evidence has been provided regarding the identities of the vessels or those onboard.
Critics, including some legal experts, have accused the US of violating international law, with countries like Colombia and Venezuela condemning the strikes.
Trump emphasized that intelligence confirmed the vessel was involved in narcotics trafficking and was linked to illicit networks. Accompanying his statement was an aerial surveillance video showing the vessel being struck by a missile.
Trump did not disclose the nationality of the people aboard the vessel or the specific drug trafficking organization involved. He asserted that no US military personnel were harmed in the attack.
The strike follows a recently leaked memo to Congress indicating that the US government views its actions as part of a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, supported by the deployment of several warships to the Caribbean.
The US has framed these operations as acts of self-defense, despite ongoing critiques regarding their legality. By presenting this scenario as an armed conflict, Trump's administration may be aiming to extend military powers to engage against perceived threats more aggressively.
While drug trafficking does occur in Venezuela, the extent is minimal compared to other areas in the region. Observers suggest these strikes may reflect a broader political strategy to pressure President Nicolás Maduro's government. The US recently placed a $50 million bounty on information leading to Maduro's arrest on drug trafficking charges, staunchly denied by the Venezuelan leader and his administration, who have responded strongly to previous military actions.
